Comelec eyes to complete probe on town hall debate mess in one week

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia (INQUIRER file photos)

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing to complete its investigation on the presidential and vice presidential debate mess by Friday, April 29.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said Sunday that letters were sent to concerned individuals to explain the issue.

“Sabi po ni Commissioner [Rey] Bulay, bigyan lang siya ng isang buong linggo at tatapusin niya,” Garcia said on TeleRadyo’s Balita.

(Commissioner Bulay asked for one whole week to complete the investigation.)

“So, nagbigay po siya ng lahat ng sulat at ito po’y binigyan niya hanggang bukas at hopefully po bago matapos ang Friday na ito ay atin pong malalaman na kung ano ang result ng investigation,” he added.

(He has sent letters and gave concerned individuals until tomorrow to respond and hopefully, before Friday ends, we will know the result of the investigation.)

Should the Comelec find that they are disadvantaged on the contract with Impact Hub, the poll body’s partner for the debates, Garcia said the contract could be cancelled, the firm could be blacklisted, or a complaint for damages may be filed if the contract is found to be disadvantageous to the election body.

Garcia, however, asked for patience from the public.

“Talagang sa totoo lamang, humihingi rin tayo ng pang-unawa ng ating kababayan. Again, bigyan muna natin sila ng pang-unawa na sila lahat ay inosente at this point,” he said.

(We ask for our fellow Filipinos’ understanding. Again, let us understand that they are all innocent at this point.)

Initially scheduled on April 23 and 24, Comelec’s vice presidential and presidential town hall debates will be rescheduled to April 30 and May 1.

The postponement came after it was reported the Impact Hub failed to settle its obligations worth P14 million with Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, the venue of the event which hosted previous editions of the debate.

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